An open discussion of the effects of rapid technological change on media and society in general--and the hobby of amateur radio in particular by Don Keith N4KC.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Milestone

For many, this particular milestone may not seem like much:

Milestone moment as radio overtakes
newspaper.In a historic crossing of revenue trend lines, for first time
the radio industry was larger than the newspaper industry in terms of revenue
last year. Eight consecutive years of declines for newspapers are to blame.
The Newspaper Association of America reports total revenue fell 9% to $17.3
billion. That’s $349 million below what radio logged last year in what turned
out to be a flat year for broadcasters.

To those involved in the radio and newspaper businesses and the advertisers who use those media, it is a massive change. Be assured it is a day many thought would never come...that is until the last few years. Then it became inevitable. Rapid technological development in the media realm made it so.

Now, I would like to see stats on where all traditional media--over-the-air TV and radio, print newspapers and magazines--rank against new media such as satellite radio, music streams, and the biggest big dog of them all, internet search.

Radio and newspaper advocates might then be arguing about whether their horse finished ninth or tenth.

2 comments:

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Welcome to N4KC's Media, Technology, and Amateur Radio Blog...follow me on Twitter.com/don_keith

NOTE TO POSTERS: You DO NOT have to be a member or have a Google account to post here. Simply click on the "Comment" link, say your piece, enter the "word recognition" (foiling bulk Spammers), and click the button that says you want to post as "Anonymous."

This blog is intended to be a forum for rational discussion about activities and issues related to changing technology as it affects all of us, including but not limited to the wonderful hobby of amateur radio. Your participation is not only welcomed, it is encouraged. I'm not aware of anything similar in the "blogsphere," so I hope this simple effort will become an active "frequency" where everyone will feel free to discuss topics in a reasonable way and learn from each other. Nothing is off limits! Technical posts are welcome, as well as comments and thoughts about regulations, modes of operation, operating practices, media, advertising and other rapid technological change and its effect on society.

Change is inevitable. How we react to that change will determine how it effects our lifestyles, our families, our hobby.

I also hope this blog will lead to more thoughful and well-informed discussion than what we typically see on such forums as eHam.net and QRZ.com. And that it will become an active Elmer forum for others interested in or new to amateur radio.

I've been involved with technology all my life, but mostly as it applies to media. I was first licensed as an amateur radio operator...ham radio...in 1961 at the age of 13 as WN4BDW...later WA4BDW. I changed my call sign to N4KC in the 1970s when I got my Extra Class license. I enjoyed a 22-year career in broadcasting and was twice named BILLBOARD magazine's "Broadcast Personality of the Year." I then developed and marketed software to the media and advertising agencies, including a 4-year run with Arbitron, the radio ratings company. Until my retirement in May 2012, I was senior vice-president of advertising and communications for a chain of career colleges headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. I'm also an author with over 25 books in print. My personal web site is www.donkeith.com, where you can find info on the books.
My ham radio site is www.n4kc.com. I post articles there I hope are of interest to other amateur radio enthusiasts, and especially newcomers to our wonderful hobby.